How to Prepare a Seasonal Home’s Plumbing for Winter in Collingwood

Closing the cottage for the season involves more than turning down the thermostat and locking the door. Water left in vulnerable pipes can freeze, expand and cause damage while no one is there to notice.

Around Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and The Blue Mountains, seasonal homes have different plumbing setups. Some stay heated through winter; others are shut down for months. The right preparation depends on which plan you’re following. Here’s a practical checklist to help you get started.

There are two common approaches: keep the home heated and the plumbing in service, or close the property and have the plumbing properly winterized.

Keeping the home heated is not the same as shutting off the water. A complete seasonal shutdown can involve the water supply, pipes, fixtures, water heater and other equipment. Because systems vary, have a licensed plumber confirm what your property needs—especially if it has a private well or equipment beyond a standard municipal-water connection.

Walk through the property and look for water lines in cold or unheated areas. Pay particular attention to pipes near exterior walls and in crawlspaces, basements, garages, attics and under kitchen or bathroom sinks. These are among the locations highlighted in Collingwood’s frozen-pipe guidance and The Blue Mountains’ water-service advice.

Before the first freeze:

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
• Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and exposed pipes according to the faucet setup.
• Add properly sized foam pipe covers to accessible, exposed pipes.
• Keep heat reaching vulnerable plumbing. In a garage with water lines, keep the garage door closed during cold weather.
• Open sink-cabinet doors where plumbing is against an exterior wall, so warmer room air can reach the pipes.
• Locate the home’s main water shutoff and make sure you know how to use it.

If a pipe is hard to reach, already damaged or routed through an unheated space, ask a plumber to assess it rather than covering it without checking its condition.

For a home that will remain heated and connected to water, keep the indoor temperature steady. The Town of Collingwood advises setting the thermostat to 15°C or higher when leaving for winter and arranging for someone to check the home every other day. The Town of The Blue Mountains also advises a setting of at least 15°C and regular checks. Check your home-insurance requirements and heating-system instructions as part of your plan.

Ask the person checking the property to look for signs of trouble, such as a drop in indoor temperature, water where it shouldn’t be or a fixture that has stopped flowing. Make sure they can reach you and know where the main shutoff is.

A municipal water shutoff by itself does not winterize every pipe and fixture inside a home. The remaining plumbing may still hold water, so have a licensed plumber prepare the system for the length of time the property will be empty.

For homes on municipal water in Wasaga Beach, the Town says residents must be present for a water turn-on or turn-off appointment. After a water shutoff, its instructions say to drain the pipes and ensure the water meter is completely free of water; the Town strongly recommends using a professional, licensed and insured plumber to winterize the residence. Check the Town’s current water turn-on and turn-off instructions before arranging a seasonal closure.

If your property uses a private well, septic system or other specialized equipment, include that in the winterization plan. Municipal water-service procedures do not cover every component of a private system.

For help planning a seasonal shutdown, see Cottage & Seasonal Home Plumbing.

A slow stream of water is sometimes suggested during severe cold, but it shouldn’t be your entire winter-protection plan. Collingwood and The Blue Mountains mention trickling water as a possible measure in very cold conditions. The Blue Mountains notes that it will not credit the voluntary water use. Follow the current guidance for your municipality and ask a plumber whether it makes sense for your property.

A tap left running cannot replace pipe insulation, adequate heat, regular checks or a professional winterization when a home is being shut down.

A sudden loss of water or a big drop in flow during freezing weather may indicate a frozen pipe or water service. If you suspect a freeze, contact a licensed plumber to help identify the location and next steps. In The Blue Mountains, the Town directs residents to notify a licensed plumber if a water service freezes, and explains that water service on private property beyond the curb stop, excluding the water meter, is private plumbing.

Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame. Don’t use a fuel-burning heater indoors, and use caution around standing water because of the risk of electric shock. These safety warnings are also part of the Town of Collingwood’s guidance.

If a pipe has burst, shut off the home’s main water supply if it’s safe to do so, then call a plumber. If you think the problem may involve the municipal water service, contact the relevant municipality for its current instructions.

Before leaving for the winter, make sure you have:

• Disconnected garden hoses and prepared outdoor faucets.
• Checked exposed pipes and plumbing in cold areas.
• Decided whether the home will remain heated or be fully winterized.
• Arranged regular home checks if the heating and water will stay on.
• Booked a licensed plumber if the property is being shut down.
• Confirmed municipal water turn-off requirements, if applicable.
• Shown your property checker where the main shutoff is.
• Included private well or other specialized equipment in the plan, where applicable.

A little planning before you leave can help you spot vulnerable plumbing while it’s still accessible. For more help with a seasonal property, visit Cottage & Seasonal Home Plumbing or Sump Pump Installation & Repair. To discuss a plumbing concern, call (705) 230-0951.